Bronze Magic by Jennifer Ealey

Author:Jennifer Ealey [Ealey, Jennifer]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Creativia
Published: 2019-06-24T16:00:00+00:00

26

The sun had reached its zenith and was beginning its journey down to the horizon when Autumn Leaves finally trudged into the firesite. Tarkyn was kneeling beside a small stream being shown how to tickle trout by Rainstorm. The other woodfolk had become more or less inured to the sorcerer’s presence and were going about their own tasks with only the occasional glance in his direction. In actual fact, they were quite pleased that Rainstorm had found a way to keep himself gainfully occupied.

Autumn Leaves sat down quietly under a tree on the opposite side of the stream and waited. Tarkyn held his arm in the water up past his elbow. Amidst an enormous splash and a great deal of shouting, he flicked a good-sized trout up out of the water onto the grass. Before he could grab it, the slippery trout catapulted itself back into the water and swam off downstream.

Tarkyn grinned at the other youth, “Nearly. I’m getting better.” His smile faded when he caught sight of Autumn Leaves.

Rainstorm took one look at the prince’s face and said, “Right, I’m off.” Then he thought better of it and offered, “On second thoughts, prince, I’ll stay if you want.”

Tarkyn smiled his thanks. “That is heroic of you, Rainstorm, but I think I’ll let you off the hook.”

As soon as Rainstorm had left, the smile dropped from his face. The prince regarded Autumn Leaves stonily. “I presume you have been sent to pour oil on troubled waters?”

The big woodman nodded, “Something like that.”

Tarkyn produced a court-bred smile but his eyes glittered. “There is absolutely no need to concern yourselves. As you can see, no one is trying to kill me and you’ll be even more pleased to know that I haven’t yet found a way to make them take the oath. That must be a great relief to you.” The sorcerer stood up and stared down on the woodman, “I must warn you that I am a lot closer to burning you to a crisp now than I ever was when you were defending your friend.” He shook his arm free of excess water and rolled down his sleeve. “I hope you have not had to travel too far. Enjoy your trip back.” Tarkyn turned on his heel and walked way.

As the prince walked past the firesite, Rainstorm fell in beside him. “You can’t just leave him there when he’s walked all this way to talk to you.”

Tarkyn stopped and looked at him. “Did he ask you to say that?”

Rainstorm shifted uncomfortably and dropped his eyes.

“You’re very compliant, all of a sudden,” observed Tarkyn dryly, “I haven’t noticed you cooperating with other people like that.”

Rainstorm brought his eyes back up and squared his shoulders. “That’s because I don’t necessarily agree with other people.”

“But you do agree with Autumn Leaves?”

The young woodman nodded.

“What is the point of talking to people who don’t trust me?” exclaimed Tarkyn bitterly.

Rainstorm gave a little smile, “You spent all morning talking to people who don’t trust you.

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